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Events

All candidates for local San Diego offices (city and county) have been invited to speak on the evening of May 25, in the Neil Morgan Auditorium of the San Diego Central Library. Each candidate will have 2 minutes to introduce herself or himself, and will be available for questions in the courtyard after the forum. Light snacks provided.

This event will also be broadcast live by KNSJ 89.1 FM and on knsj.org.

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My Top 3 Priorities

Street Repair and Neighborhood Infrastructure

Public Safety

Reforming City Hall

Experience

Experience

Profession:Mayor of San Diego

City Councilmember, City of San Diego — Elected position (2006–2014)

Education

San Diego State University — BA, Political Science (1990)

Biography

Kevin L. Faulconer became the 36th mayor of San Diego on March 3, 2014, on a campaign message of bringing San Diego together and restoring integrity to City Hall.

Shortly after taking office, Mayor Faulconer began implementing his "One San Diego" vision -- an inclusive city government that creates opportunities for San Diegans and delivers results for every neighborhood.

One San Diego is best exemplified in the first two budgets he put forward. Faulconer has directed 50 percent of all new major revenue toward neighborhood improvements like street repairs, sidewalks and streetlights. He targeted the City's pockmarked streets by doubling the miles of roads repaired annually to meet his goal of fixing 1,000 miles of streets over the next five years. He also increased the hours at libraries and recreation centers to their highest level in a decade and created an afterschool program for students in areas with the lowest test scores. He funded a new firefighter "Fast Response Squad" program and increased ambulance service, both of which have significantly improved emergency response times.

Faulconer has also made significant changes to bring transparency and efficiency to City government. He appointed Shelley Zimmerman, the first female police chief in San Diego history, to change the culture in the San Diego Police Department. Working with labor unions, he created an incentive program called San Diego Works that rewards employees for money-saving ideas that have generated $1.3 million in average annual budgetary savings so far. He created an online budget tool that allows San Diegans to see how their tax dollars are being spent. He also launched a major overhaul of the City's website that makes it more user-friendly and employed local San Diego tech companies to do the work.

In addition, Faulconer has strengthened binational relations with Mexican leaders; created a year-round indoor homeless shelter for families and veterans that replaced temporary outdoor winter tents; negotiated a five-year deal with police officers to address recruitment and retention problems; increased funding for homeless services with a renewed focus on programs that provide services to end homelessness; and bolstered the innovation economy by inking an economic development package that ensures innovative entreprenuers will continue to thrive and grow in San Diego.

Faulconer previously served as the District 2 City Councilmember for eight years, including as Council President Pro Tem. As chair of the Council's Audit Committee, he worked to restore the City's credit rating and repair its credibility with investors following a pension scandal.

Faulconer has a track record of delivering results for San Diego. In 2008, he took a lead role in drafting and supporting Proposition C, which passed with 67 percent of the vote. The measure ensured money generated in Mission Bay Park is invested there and at other City parks.

Faulconer also campaigned in 2008 for the alcohol-free beaches and bays, a measure also supported by voters. In 2010, he helped lead the campaign against Proposition D, a sales-tax increase overwhelmingly rejected by voters. In 2012, he helped craft a successful pension reform initiative that is projected to save San Diego taxpayers nearly $1 billion over 30 years.

Prior to his election to the City Council, Faulconer worked in public affairs for more than a decade and was vice president of a leading firm where he managed complex projects within strict budgetary guidelines.

Faulconer graduated in 1990 from San Diego State University. He and his wife, Katherine, a small business owner, live in Point Loma with their children, Jack and Lauren.

Political Beliefs

We’ve accomplished so much in the two years since you elected me. City finances are back on track. Without raising your taxes, we’ve prioritized hiring public safety officers, kept library and recreation centers open longer, fixed tens-of-thousands of potholes and doubled the miles of streets repaired. I’m committed to finishing the job of restoring neighborhood services.

Two years ago I pledged to bring our city together – to build One San Diego. I’ve worked hard to be inclusive of all our communities, and I made it a priority to improve services in neglected neighborhoods.

We’ve overcome tough challenges and there’s a lot more work to do. Continuing pension reform, attracting more goodpaying jobs, and improving streets and neighborhood infrastructure remain my top priorities.

I very much enjoy working for you. I get up every morning thinking I’ve got the best job in the world, in the best city. I’d be honored to continue serving as your mayor and would appreciate your vote.

- Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer

Position Papers

Official Statement

Researched by Voter’s Edge

Source: City of San Diego, Office of the City Clerk

Kevin Faulconer

Mayor

It’s not every day I get to write to every resident, so I want to take this opportunity to thank you for giving me the chance to serve our city. We’ve accomplished so much in the two years since you elected me.

City finances are back on track. Without raising your taxes, we’ve prioritized hiring public safety officers, kept library and recreation centers open longer, fixed tens-of-thousands of potholes and doubled the miles of streets repaired. I’m committed to finishing the job of restoring neighborhood services.

Two years ago I pledged to bring our city together – to build One San Diego. I’ve worked hard to be inclusive of all our communities, and I made it a priority to improve services in neglected neighborhoods.

We’ve overcome tough challenges and there’s a lot more work to do. Continuing pension reform, attracting more good- paying jobs, and improving streets and neighborhood infrastructure remain my top priorities.

I very much enjoy working for you. I get up every morning thinking I’ve got the best job in the world, in the best city. I’d be honored to continue serving as your mayor and would appreciate your vote.

Shelter the increasing numbers of people living on San Diego streets, while providing leadership in the implementation of longer-term solutions to homelessness as demonstrated in other large cities -- including increasing the Minimum Wage.

Education

Biography

A San Diego native, Lori grew up in Clairemont. After her father retired from a 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Lori’s parents moved the family home to San Diego for good. Lori’s experience as the daughter of a career Marine would later influence her legislative work on behalf of active-duty service members, veterans and military families.

Lori has solved tough problems as a teacher, presidential appointee and state legislator. She has managed federal grants, created workforce development programs, protected beaches from pollution, and provided funding for veterans' education, healthcare and affordable housing throughout California.

As a 3-term Assemblymember, Lori authored legislation to create good-paying jobs, protect the environment, reduce greenhouse gases, lower energy costs and make it illegal to openly carry guns in parks and at beaches.

Despite the highly partisan nature of California politics, Lori Saldaña has been a consensus-builder and an effective legislator. During six tough years in the state Legislature in Sacramento, Lori repeatedly built coalitions of Democrats and Republicans, and passed critical legislation signed into law by a Republican governor, including co-authoring California’s landmark Global Warming legislation.

Lori is an independent candidate, she is beholden to no one.

Political Beliefs

Lori believes that local, state and federal agencies must cooperate, and that the State and Federal governments must provide financial support to help San Diego invest wisely in public safety, water, streets and transit.

Lori is committed to a prosperous future for our region, continuing her lifelong work. She supports the Citizens Initiative to expand the Convention Center, construct a downtown sports complex and protect Mission Valley. She also supports Proposition I to increase the Minimum Wage and provide a few days of paid Sick Leave, to increase the participation of low-wage workers in our local economy. As a member of the California Assembly, she voted to increase the statewide Minimum Wage.

Should my fellow San Diegans elect me as Mayor, I have pledged to complete my term in office and focus on being an effective Mayor.

Position Papers

Official Statement

Researched by Voter’s Edge

Source: City of San Diego, Office of the City Clerk

Lori Saldaña

Thanks for reading this!

As a native San Diegan and daughter of a career Marine I’m dedicated to my hometown. That’s why I’m running for mayor.

I’ve solved tough problems as a teacher, state legislator and presidential appointee. I’ve managed federal grants, created workforce development programs, protected beaches from pollution, and provided funding for veterans’ education, healthcare and affordable housing throughout California. I promise to continue this work, serve my full term, and focus on being a great Mayor.

I’m an independent candidate. I’m not beholden to anyone.

In Sacramento, I authored legislation to create good paying jobs, protect the environment, reduce greenhouse gasses, lower energy costs, and make it illegal to openly carry guns in parks and beaches. The past governor supported them - he knew they made sense regardless of party.

I believe state and federal agencies must cooperate and provide financial support to help San Diego invest wisely in water, streets, and transit.

I am committed to a prosperous future for our region.

I support the Citizens Initiative, to expand the Convention Center, construct a downtown sports complex, and protect Mission Valley.

Voting for Lori Saldaña is voting for ALL San Diegans. I welcome your support!

My Top 3 Priorities

Ensuring people are making livable wages and not using the Mayor's office to further a political goal.

Experience

Experience

Profession:Lifeguard Sergeant

Official Statement

Researched by Voter’s Edge

Source: City of San Diego, Office of the City Clerk

ED HARRIS

San Diego Lifeguard Sergeant

I will never put political gamesmanship and pursuit of higher office ahead of solving real problems and doing the job to which I am elected.

During my service in the United States Marine Corps, I learned to focus on teamwork and self-sacrifice to achieve our goals. I carried those values to my own small business, to my service as a San Diego Lifeguard and as a City Councilmember for the 2nd District. I will bring that same approach to being Mayor.

I will address understaffing of public safety personnel, which has resulted in an increased crime rate, delayed 9-1-1 response, and continued loss of trained public safety personnel.

I will restore cutbacks in Fleet Services, which have resulted in much of the City vehicle fleet being out of commission.

I oppose subsidizing a football stadium when basic neighborhood infrastructure is being neglected, and the City’s only response to this neglect is a budget shell game.

As Mayor, I will restore quality City services, protect our neighborhoods and coastline, support a livable minimum wage and bring good-paying jobs to our City.